RIYADH — Uruq Bani Mu’arid Protected Area has been declared the first model reserve in the Kingdom, in line with the highest international standards. Announcing this on its Twitter account the Saudi Wildlife Authority said the area"s development program will be launched this year with the participation of local and international experts. Saudi Wildlife Authority is the national agency mandated with the establishment and management of national protected areas. Uruq Bani Ma’arid is one of the largest protected areas in Saudi Arabia at 12,000 sq. km. It was established by a royal decree in 1995 for protecting the natural landscapes of the Ar-Rub‘ Al-Khali (Empty Quarter) desert and to be home for the reintroduction of the flagship species of Arabia including the Arabian Oryx, Al Reem Gazelle and others. It is located on the western edge of Ar-Rub‘ Al-Khali, south of the Tuwayq escarpment within the Riyadh and Najran regions, 700 km to the south of the capital city of Riyadh. The nearest large city is Najran some 300 km. Several nearby towns and villages are located to the northwest of the area including Al-Sulayyel, Wadi Al-Dawasir and Sultanah. The protected area is totally state owned with recognition of traditional use rights mainly related to camel grazing. There are 15 protected areas established by the authority throughout the country. A development buffer zone is currently being considered to the east and west of the protected area to mitigate possible urban development to the west and natural resource use to the east.